Water heater guides
Plain answers to the questions people ask most about their water heaters, with sources.
How long do water heaters last?
A typical tank water heater lasts about 10 years, give or take a few. Here's what the published estimates say, what wears a heater out early, and how to tell where yours stands.
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Water heater pilot light keeps going out? Here's why
A pilot that won't stay lit is one of the most common gas water heater problems. Most causes are simple, a few need a pro, and one or two mean stop and call right away.
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Why is my water heater making noise?
Water heaters aren't silent, and some sounds are perfectly normal. Others point to sediment, a leak or a pressure problem. Here's how to tell them apart.
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Why does my hot water smell like rotten eggs?
A rotten egg smell is hydrogen sulfide gas. When it shows up only in the hot water, the water heater is usually where it's being made, and it can be fixed.
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Water heater relief valve leaking or dripping: what it means
The temperature and pressure relief valve is the most important safety part on a water heater. When it drips, it's usually telling you something about your water pressure.
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Hot water in the sink but not the shower: why it happens
If the bathroom sink runs hot and the shower stays lukewarm, your water heater is doing its job. The problem is almost always in the shower valve itself, and it's often a simple fix.
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Water heater not working after a power outage or gas shutoff
Outages trip safety switches, and gas shutoffs put out pilots. Most of the time, getting hot water back is simple. Here's what to check for each type of heater, and when to leave it to the gas company.
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How to reset a water heater, electric or gas
Resetting a water heater is often all it takes to get hot water back. Here's where the reset is on each type, how to do it safely, and what it means when it won't stay reset.
Read the guideHow to flush a water heater, and when to leave it to a pro
Flushing clears the sediment that settles at the bottom of a tank. It's one of the easiest ways to keep a water heater healthy, as long as you do it in the right order.
Read the guideWater heater anode rod: what it does and when to replace it
The anode rod is the cheapest part in your water heater and one of the most important. When it's gone, the tank starts to rust from the inside. Here's how to tell where yours stands.
Read the guide7 signs your water heater is going bad
Most water heaters give some warning before they quit. Catch the signs early and you can often fix the problem, or at least replace the heater on your schedule instead of after a flood.
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Water heater repair cost: what common repairs run
Most water heater repairs cost a few hundred dollars. Here's what national cost guides report for the common ones, and when the numbers start to favor a new heater.
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Tank vs tankless water heater: the honest pros and cons
Tankless heaters get a lot of hype. They really are more efficient for many homes, but they're not the right call for everyone. Here's what the Department of Energy and cost data actually say.
Read the guideWhat temperature should your water heater be set to?
The short answer is 120°F for most homes. Here's where that number comes from, how fast hotter water burns, and how to check and change your setting.
Read the guideBad electric water heater element: how to tell and what to do
Electric water heaters have no pilot to blow out. When they fail, it's most often a heating element or thermostat. Here's how to tell which, and how a plumber tests them.
Read the guideDo you need a water heater expansion tank?
Heating water makes it expand, and in most modern homes that extra volume has nowhere to go. An expansion tank gives it somewhere. Here's how to tell whether you need one.
Read the guideWater heater smells like gas: what to do right now
A gas smell near a water heater is an emergency until proven otherwise. Here's what to do in the first minute, what not to touch, and what happens after.
Read the guideHot water runs out fast: 7 reasons and what to do
If showers used to last and now go cold halfway through, something changed. Usually it's a part that can be fixed. Sometimes it's the season, or a heater that's too small for the house.
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Can you replace a water heater yourself?
Plenty of handy homeowners can swap a water heater. Whether you should depends on the fuel, the venting, and what your town requires. Here's what to know before you start.
Read the guideRusty or brown hot water: what it means and what to do
Brown water is alarming, but the cause is usually easy to narrow down. The first test takes 30 seconds: is it the hot water only, or the cold too?
Read the guideWater heater trouble?
Call now for water heater repair or replacement.